1. FBI may investigate Health Republic of New York’s closing
Health Republic of New York — a nonprofit insurance co-op formed under the Affordable Care Act — abruptly closed last November. Now the FBI may be investigating why.
2. 7 Humana executives receive almost $27M in stock
This month, seven executives from Louisville, Ky.-based Humana received almost $27 million in common shares for longevity and performance.
3. Alameda Health System in contract dispute with major insurer
Oakland, Calif.-based Alameda Health System is in a contract dispute with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of California.
4. How Oscar Health plans to increase enrollment nearly 600% in 5 years
New York-based health insurance startup Oscar is hoping to significantly increase nationwide enrollment from 145,000 this year to 1 million within the next five years.
5. Florida fines Humana for complications regarding HIV/AIDS discrimination
Florida fined health insurer Humana $500,000. The problem? Humana reportedly did not cooperate with an investigation of its alleged discrimination against HIV/AIDS patients.
6. The problems aren’t over at BCBS of NC
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina began experiencing system problems in January. Although the insurer has claimed it is “making progress” in the crisis, a new round of difficulties recently piled up.
7. Highmark isn’t the top insurer in Western Pa. anymore, UPMC analysis says
Pittsburgh-based Highmark, the longstanding No. 1 insurer in the Western Pennsylvania marketplace, is no longer the top dog.
8. Need to draft your will? Humana has an app for that
Health insurance giant Humana created a new mobile app that makes crafting end-of-life directives a little bit easier.
9. Moody’s: Health insurer mega-mergers to disrupt entire sector
U.S. health insurers will have strong financial results in 2016, but challenges like the disruption from high-profile mega-mergers will offset positive trends in the credit risk profiles of health insurers, according to Moody’s Investors Service.
10. UnitedHealthcare, Tennova in contract impasse
UnitedHealthcare and Knoxville, Tenn.-based Tennova Healthcare appear to be on the brink of ending their contract beginning March 1.
11. Ohio air ambulance company sues Medical Mutual for $3.5M
Air Evac Lifeteam sued Medical Mutual of Ohio, claiming the payer owes $3.5 million in unpaid bills for its air ambulance services.
12. Oscar Health sees low enrollment after premiering in California
New York-based Oscar Health, an insurance company start-up, debuted in California during this year’s open enrollment period. But the enrollment numbers prove it is off to a slow start in the state.
More articles on payer issues:
Health insurers in the news: Feb. 12-18
How much do health sharing ministries really help?
Who’s eligible for Medicaid and CHIP? Kaiser Family Foundation takes a closer look
